SDGA Pace of Play Policy

 

(Revised 2/3/19)

 

Rule 5.6b - Prompt Pace of Play - A round of golf is to be played at a prompt pace. Each player should recognize that his or her pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds. 

 

Maximum Allowable Time - The maximum allowable time is the maximum time considered necessary by the committee for a group to complete its round. It includes all time associated with playing the game, including rulings. It will vary based on course conditions, difficulty, weather, and other factors and will be published or announced for each round. 

 

Out of Position - A group is out of position defined as follows:

 

First Group:  At any time during the round they exceed the allotted time to play established by the Committee.

 

Subsequent Groups:  At any time during the round they; (a) exceed the allotted time to play established by the Committee and; (b) reach a par-3 hole that is open and free of play or reach a par-4 or par-5 hole and have not played a stroke from the teeing ground before the hole is open and free of play.

 

Timing

A group that is out of position will be notified and a player or players will be timed until the group is no longer out of position. When a group or individual will be timed, all players in the group or the specific individual will be informed.

 

In addition, the Committee reserves the right to time any group when the Committee deems it necessary.  Further, if a player is determined by the Committee to be unreasonably slow, that player may be timed individually at the Committee’s discretion regardless of whether the group is out of position. 

 

Other than on the putting green, the timing of a stroke begins when it is the player’s turn, and can play without

interference or distraction. Time spent determining yardage counts in the time taken for the next stroke.  On the

putting green, timing begins after a player is allowed a reasonable amount of time to mark, lift, clean and replace the

ball, repair ball marks or removed loose impediments on his line of putt.  A player has 40 seconds to play a stroke,

with an additional 20 seconds (total of 60) for the first to play: (a) a stroke on a par-3; (b) a second stroke on a par-4

or par-5; (c) a third stroke on a par-5; (d) a stroke near the putting green or, (e) a stroke on the putting green. 

 

A player being timed, who exceeds the applicable time to play a stroke will be informed as soon as practicable. 

 

Penalties During Round

First Offense – Warning, no penalty

Second Offense – one (1) penalty stroke.

Third Offense – two (2) penalty strokes

Fourth Offense – DISQUALIFICATION

 

NOTE: Any timings exceeding the applicable time to play a stroke (bad time) will be carried over throughout the round. 

 

Appeals

Any appeal of a penalty or timing must be referred to the on-site Tournament Director immediately upon completion of the player in question’s round. The Tournament Director’s decision shall be final.  If the player in question does not appeal immediately upon conclusion of the round any penalties shall stand.